The $150.00 question

K

KFU

Part Time Knifemaker, Moderator
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I am in the market for a folder for under $150.00. I want a no frills working knife with a 4" blade or less. Steel doesn't matter although I prefer ease of sharpening over edge retention. I was wondering if there were any custom knives that are no thrills that I can pick up for this amount. I already own:
Delica, Griptillian, bunch of slip joints, and lost a caly 3 which I liked. Any suggestions?
 
Depends on your cutting tasks, but with that budget I would suggest looking at the ZDP 189 variants of the Delica or the Caly 3. Easy to keep sharp as long as you maintain the edge and don't let it get away from you.
 
I'm not aware of any custom folding knives in that price range -- but you will find custom fixed blades at around that price right here on the forums.

Since you like Spydercos, I'd suggest the Military and Paramilitary as working knives. I don't find S30V at all difficult to sharpen. I've got both and find I like the Military better because the liner lock is a little easier to operate and I find the extra blade length useful. They both sell for about $125 from reputable online dealers.

If you really need something easier to sharpen, the Kershaw Junkyard Dog II makes a great work knife. It's blade is Swedish Sandvic 13C27, which holds a good edge and is less wear resistant than S30V and therefore easier to sharpen. You can find them for less than $50.
 
I would go for a Benchmade 520. It is a VERY tough folder. Either that or a Benchmade 950. I use a BM 520 for my work knife.
 
You will not be dissapointed with the Spyderco Military. Although My Kershaws are really sharp. Basically I agree with KeithAM.
 
For that price, you could get a G-10 Endura. Or, for just a little over your price limit, you could get the G-10 Endura, and a regular Endura, and swap out the blades, if you'd rather have a saber-ground blade in the G-10 handle. That's what I'd do anyway, because I like the G-10 Endura, but I'm not to keen on full flat grinds.
 
i like the benchmade HK axis in g10

this knife is awesome.

BM14205.jpg
 
Doug ritter griptillain, spyderco. military or para...

Or splurge and get a custom or sebenza!
 
You might also want to check out the discontinued Spyderco ATR.
It will be hard to find a titanium one, but the stainless steel ones are still around.

Or if you want something more traditional, check out Buck's Custom Shoppe for a custom Buck 110.
Here are a few examples....

HPIM4659.jpg

Water-buffalo horn scales and BG-42.

HPIM4060-1.jpg

Sambar stag and ATS-34.

knives246.jpg

Walnut and ATS-34 (not my knife any more)

Good luck,
Allen
 
Spyderco Military, Paramilitary or Calypso 3 in the steel of your choice. Whichever size appeals to you most.
 
the Manix is good, the JYD2 is good (couple variations out there. Ti/SG2 if you can find it, the composite blade with CPM D2 edge, and the already mentioned 13c26 version). those are the two that come to mind first. many many more, some of which have been posted already
 
Look at the TOPS Thunder Hawk framelock folder. Excellant build quality, excellant steel, and just an all around well thought out frame lock folder. I've been carrying mine for 2 months rotated with a CRKT Apache and a Beretta/Harsey lg. folder. Out of the three I like the TOPS the best. Apache second and Beretta third, just cause it is so big. keepem sharp

PS Don't over look the Apache folder. Again excellant materials used and you can find them cheap on ebay for 65 bucks or less. This is a large folder too with excellant handling characteristics and ats34 steel. They are little over 9" long but slimmer than the Beretta. Just some thoughts here.
 
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